Quarrel is a turn-based digital board game thats all about the power of words! Youll wage battle against opponents trying to conquer and defend territories using words as weapons, and your vocabulary as ammunition!

DARREN

It sounds like the pen really is mightier than the sword in Quarrel. Essentially it borrows elements from old board games like Risk and Scrabble and combines them to create a new game that still feels familiar and easy to understand...once you learn the rules of course.

GOOSE

Each game can be played with up to three opponents and takes place on board thats divided into an equal amount of territories. Youre then given a set number of troops that you can use to attack your opponents territories or defend your own. Each time you play you get a different style of soldier but for some strange reason you cant pick which, luck of the draw I guess.

I personally loved the little Pirates! Yarrhh!

DARREN

Well MY favourite was the robots...

GOOSE

...yeah I guessed that Darren!

DARREN

The number of troops you have on each square represents the number of letters you can use to create words with. The more troops you have, the bigger the word and the more points youll earn for that word.

Goose

Every time you attack a neighbouring territory or are attacked yourself, youll activate a mini battle where each player uses the same letters to create a word. Youll need to create a higher scoring word than your opponent to win and either fend off enemies or claim their land as your own!

DARREN

Like a game of Scrabble, each letter has its own points value, with tougher letters like Q and X being worth far more than easy ones like A and E!

GOOSE

You then march your troops around the board claiming territories until the board is yours... and thats pretty much it! Its a simple concept, but theres heaps of room for strategy and tactics. When you finish each turn youll receive re-enforcements and you can move them around and build up your defences.

DARREN

There are a number of different modes to play like 'Domination' and 'Face Off' but theyre just variations with different maps and computer controlled opponents.

GOOSE

I didnt mind playing against the computer Darren, although the difficulty can get pretty ruthless! The AI also felt unfair at times, for instance: if you both draw in a word battle, the winner is decided by who created a word the quickest BUT I found that no matter how quick I was, the AI was always faster! Sneaky! You can jump online and play against real opponents and I found that a lot more satisfying. It just feels so much better to outsmart a real person. Although sadly theres no local multiplayer...

DARREN

I did get frustrated at times when waiting for my turn between gos, especially when I wasnt winning, and all you can do is watch hopelessly as the computer wipes you out again and again... and again.

GOOSE

Hmm yeah I dont want to sound like a bad sport here but I just restarted when that happened. Once youve been bested a few too many times by the AI you know the games over and theres no point watching your inevitable defeat!

But overall Darren, what did you think?

DARREN

its outstanding to see a game thats entertaining AND that can teach a thing or two about spelling. Im giving it a 7.5/10

GOOSE

Yeah, this is a really clever little game and theres real strategy to it, especially online. Im giving it 8/10.